Mario Balotelli’s perfect record of never having missed a competitive penalty has come to an end. After not missing any of the 26 penalties he took for AC Milan, Manchester City, Inter Milan and Italy, Balotelli’s record was finally broken today when Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina saved penalty number 27.

Balotelli is regarded as one of the world’s best penalty kick takers.

Here’s what Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart said about his amazing talent:

“He’s got this mad ability where he doesn’t need to look at the ball. If you don’t move he kicks it in the corner; if you do move he kicks it the other way – it’s almost impossible to stop.”

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About The Author

Publisher of World Soccer Talk, Christopher Harris founded the site in 2005. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Guardian and several other publications. Plus he has made appearances on NPR, BBC World, CBC, BBC Five Live, talkSPORT and beIN SPORT.
Harris, who was born and raised in Wales, has lived in Florida since 1984, and supported Swansea City since 1979. Last but not least, he got engaged during half-time of a MLS game.

One Response

JBrevettiSeptember 23, 2013

That’s just great goalkeeping (and mind game); leaning one way and then diving the other lightning fast to make the save.